The USDA: Sending Money Where People Aren’t

State and Local Government |
By John Payne | Read Time 1 minute

Regarding David Stokes’ question of a couple weeks ago about which type of area (e.g., urban, suburban, or rural) is most heavily subsidized by the government, it appears that the USDA disbursed a record amount of money to rural Missouri last year — $1.126 billion. The bulk of the funds were used as a direct subsidy for rural residents:

The Rural Development Single Family Housing Program provided $578.2 million to individuals and families to buy homes or rehabilitate existing homes.

Let me just get this straight: They subsidized the purchase of homes where they are already cheapest, and at a time when there is already a glut in the nationwide housing market? What could go wrong?

About the Author

John Payne is a native of Poplar Bluff. He graduated from Washington University in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in history. After receiving his undergraduate degree, John worked toward teacher certification at Webster University, receiving it in 2008. During the 20082009 school year, he taught social studies at East Carter County High School in Ellsinore, but left teaching to pursue a career as a writer. John currently lives in the city of Saint Louis.

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